{ Books in 2017 }

The following books have had a percussive impact on my life in the last year:

What Grieving People Wish You Knew…About What Really Helps and What Really Hurts By Nancy Guthrie

When do we ever take a class on how to help the grieving? We don’t. Yet, we can be pretty sure we will encounter grieving friends and family members throughout life.

My husband and I listened to the audio and we were both very inspired. It’s a touching, gentle primer on the art of friendship to the grieving. We now consider it an important book for every family member to digest and practice.

Love Does by Bob Goff

This will make you laugh, cry and rejoice that you got your hands on it. Listen to the audio version, read by the author.

It’s funny and moving and spiritual in a fresh, exciting way. Get ready to become “secretly incredible!”

The Lost Art of Listening by Michael P. Nichols, Phd.

This is one of the most helpful books I have read this past year. I have opportunities every day to succeed (and fail) using the ideas I’ve found here. Listening is an unselfish gift you give to your friends and family. Listening can be hard work. When you listen with all you’ve got, you will often be rewarded and not bored, even if people drone on. If you think you’re already a good listener, this book will encourage you; if you know your listening skills need work, this book is a great place to start.

What Would Judas Do? By John Perritt

I am still finishing this one. Simple but profound, the book explores how each of us, deep down, can relate to the ultimate traitor. Examine yourself with this book: am I a true believer, or just along for the ride? It’s humbling, insightful, and suitable for a family devotional read.

Why Nobody Wants to be Around Christians Anymore: And How 4 Acts of Love Will Make Your Faith Magnetic by Thom and Joani Schultz

I found myself in this book. I mean, it was like looking in the mirror when they mentioned unloving Christians. Ugh.

But it didn’t stop at that, and the book wasn’t condemning. It prompted me as a follower of the ultimate King of love to want to truly love others. Not just as a project, or in a surface way.

If you know me, please be patient with me as I seek, powered by God, to see people and treat people the way Jesus would.

Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark

As you see on this blog I am trying to write regularly to learn to write well. It’s slow going.

This book helped by giving me some unique things to try. Unlike a dry textbook, the expert author made his tips easy and fun to read.

I read it a few months ago, though, and I feel like I am forgetting already – maybe I should review a chapter every now and then!

My Bible

This is what I read the most — the living, breathing, inspired Word of God. Its prophecies have been fulfilled, though the gap between the giving and the fulfillment took hundreds of years, and were written by authors who never knew each other.